Voting-machine.



EH. MGELRUY.

I VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.16,1900.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

4 $HEETSSHEET 1. A

J. H. MGELEOY.

VOTING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.16,1900. 972,214, Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a a r J. H. MOELROY.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGAIION FILED APR. 16,1900.

Patented Oct. 11, 191 0.

4 SHEHTS-SHEETv 3.

THE NORRIS Psmxs ca. WASHINGTON, u. c

J. H. MOELRUY.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16,1900. v

' Patented 001?. 11, 1910 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

2/1/7325 58/6 fy Jar/626222 WW y WW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HOWARD MCELROY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VOTING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN HOWARD MoEL- ROY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVoting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of votingmachines which are used in general elections to register instantaneouslyand automatically the choice of the voter of all the candidatespresented for the various offices to be filled.

My present invention is concerned first with a novel arrangement andconstruction of the operating or setting keys. As these devices havebeen hitherto constructed they have been of two classes: let, those inwhich the keys were locked in their operative position or 2nd, those inwhich they were freely movable into and out of operative position. Aserious objection to the first class exists in that in case a wrong keyis depressed, it cannot be corrected, and also, if straight ticketmechanism is employed to operate or set for operation all the keys inany party row or column, and it is desired to scratch a single candidatein that party, it is necessary to push in each candidate key separately,as if they are operated by straight ticket mechanism, none of them couldbe scratched. A serious objection to the second class resides in thefact that a key may be only partly operated, and the voters attentionnot be called to the fact, and he may thereby lose his vote or preventthe machine from operating as intended. I11 my improvement, I overcomethese objections to both classes by arranging the key so as to insureits being fully operated, and retained, and by further arranging it sothat any illdividual key can be unlocked and returned at pleasure, thuspermitting correction of errors or scratching after a straight ticketballot is indicated.

A further feature of my invention is found in the straight ticket ballotmechanisms. As these mechanisms have been hitherto constructed for keymachines, a separate straight ticket actuating mecha nism has beenemployed for each party, or possiblyfor each two parties. In my improved construction, I employ an adjustable mechanism which can be movedso as to cooperate with the keys of any party group, i

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 16,

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

1900. Serial No. 13,157.

thereby decreasing the amount of mechanism that must be employed.

Another feature of my invention is found in the novel form of the fluidinterlocking mechanism employed, which is a modification of that claimedin my application No. 729,274L, filed September 2, 1899.

Another feature of my invention resides in the novel and improved freeor irregular balloting mechanism which I employ.

Other features of my invention are found in the novel booth andre-setting mechanism operated thereby.

Finally, still other features of my invention are found in thecombination and details of construction, all of which will be fully setout in the claims.

To more fully illustrate my invention, I annex hereto three sheets ofdrawings, in which the same letters of reference are used to designateidentical parts in all the figures, of which- Figure 1 is a front viewof the booth and machine, a portion of the curtain being broken away todisclose the construction of the straight ticket mechanism, and thearrangement of thekeys upon the ballot plate; Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe same; Fig. 3 is a detail View in section on the line 33 of Fig. 2,on an enlarged scale; Fig. 1 is a similar view, on the same line, butwith the curtain carrying arm and its supporting bracket removed; Fig. 5is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 1 in section on theline 55 of Fig. 3; Fig. (3 is a plan view of the same mechanism with.the top of the casing removed; Fig. 7 is an elevation of a portion ofthe front plate of the casing, in section on the line 7 7 of Fig. 8;Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the same mechanism, on the line 88of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 99 of Fig. 8; Fig.10 is a front elevation of a portion of the interlocking frame, the endsof which are in central section to more clearly disclose theconstruction there of; Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the straight ticketmechanism; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 13 is a frontelevation of the same; Fig. 1 1 is a front elevation of the top of themachine with the front part of the casing removed and with the registersomitted, showing the connections for raising and lowering the registerframe; and Fig. 15 is a front elevation on an enlarged scale, of aportion of the right hand side of the machine with the parts in sectionjust back of the front casing in the upper portion of the figure; withthe parts in section just back of the register frame in the intermediateportion; and with the parts in section through the irregular ballotstoring chambers in the lower portion of the figure.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, I inclose the operating mechanism of themachine in a rectangular casing A, which is supported by the preferablyremovable legs B at a convenient height so that the front plate orballot C of the machine is at a convenient height for manipulation bythe average voter.

To screen the voter from sight while he is operating the machine, Iemploy a curtain D, which is suspended, preferably by the rings E, fromthe curved rod F, which is of the shape best shown in Fig. 2, and whichis pivotally mounted in the upper corner of the casing A by means of theremovable bearing pin G which passes through the top of the casing, thecylindrical bearing sleeve H which is preferably integral with the rodF, and into the bracket J projecting inwardly from the side and frontwall of the casing A. As seen in Fig. 5, an aperture is cut in thecorner of the casing of a size just sufficient to admit the journal H,which completely fills the aperture, so as to prevent the insertion ofanything into the aperture. The rod F is arranged so as to turn from theclosed position, shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the machine normallystanding in the open position, so that the ballot plate is open to theinspection of the voter who may desire to study it before entering themachine to cast his vote. WVhen the machine is in its open position, thekeys can be moved freely in and out by the voter, but nothing iseffected by their movement. WVhen the voter is ready to cast his ballot,he brings the rod F and the curtain to their closed position, withhimself on the inside, in which position the machine is ready to beoperated.

As it is desirable to prevent any incomplete operations of the machine,I provide a complete stroke mechanism for compelling v the completeopening and closing of the booth. For this purpose, the segmental rack Kextending something over a quarter of a circle and having teeth on theinside, is secured to the under side of the top of the casing in theposition shown in Figs. 2 and 4t. Cooperating with this rack is a dog Lwhich is pivotally mounted upon the top of an extension M of the journalH. This dog has the two arms N and O cooperating alternately with theteeth of the rack K in the customary manner, being held in eitherposition by means of the leaf spring P secured upon the side of thejournal H and having its end adapted to cooperate with the angular end Qof the dog L in either position of adjustment. To throw the dog L fromone position to the other at the end of the desired stroke, I employ thepins R and S projecting downwardly from the under side of the rack K andcooperating with the third arm T of the dog in the customary manner.With this construction, it will be readily perceived that after the rodF is started to be swung to its open position, its movement cannot bereversed until said position is reached, and conversely, when it isstarted to be closed, its movement cannot be reversed until it iscompletely closed, thus preventing any attempt at manipulation of themachine by partial movements of the curtain which might not be noticedby the election officials.

In the construction herein shown, I mount the registers in a verticallymoving frame, which consists of the comparatively heavy end pieces U andV, and the thinner pieces IV parallel thereto, the end pieces U and Vand the intermediate pieces WV being connected by cross pieces at thetop and bottom, as well as by the intermediate pieces or plates X, whichare interposed between each horizontal row of registers. This registerframe is mounted just back of the front plate C and bet-ween it and theintermediate partition Y, and is hung by the vertical link Z secured tothe center of the top side thereof to the horizontal lever A, which ispivoted to the front side of the partition Y, as indicated at B,-in Fig.6. The other end of this lever is enlarged, as at C, the inner endthereof being curved on the arc of a circle of which the pin G is acenter, and is provided with the cam groove D with which ananti-friction roller E journaled upon a stud F projecting from theextension M, cooperates. IVith the shape and location of the cam slot orgroove D shown, it will be apparent that as the booth is opened, theouter end of the lever A will be raised, thus lowering its inner end andthe register frame, so that when the booth is opened, the register frameis in its lower position and is out of engagement with the keys, as willbe subsequently described.

Each register consists of a series of wheels G, which with theirattached transmitting gears are mounted upon the parallel vertical rods.H, of which there are four, for each register, and which I convenientlyextend from the top to the bottom of the register frame, thus making acheap construction of the bearings for the wheels. The rodI-I to theleft has rotatably mounted thereon the five-sided disk J, which has thesides K 00- operating as delay surfaces with the surface L formed on theside of the under half of the key M, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9.At each angle of this disk, I provide the notches N, which cooperatewith the pin 0 secured on the under side of the key M in the same planeas the surface L, and located in the recess P formed in the surface L,as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. Vith this construction, it will beapparent that as the key N is pushed in, the pin 0 will engage theadjacent notch N and rotate the disk J through an angle of 72 degrees,or

V one-fifth of a complete rotation. It will be apparent that the disk islocked from rotation except by the key when it is in engagementtherewith, and if the key be pushed in to advance the disk, and beretracted while the register is in engagement therewith, the disk willbe carried back to its original position and the registration causedthereby canceled. By this construction, it will be seen that if the keyis operated, and if for any reason it is desired to erase the votebefore the voter has left the machine, the key is retracted and the voteis erased. If, however, a vote is to be counted, the voter leaves thebooth, and as he leaves the booth, the register frame is lowered tocarry the disk J out of engagement with the key, and the keys arereturned by the means to be described while they are out of engagementwith the register, so that the vote thus castis counted. Secured on theunder side of the disk J is a gear pinion Q which meshes with a gearpinion R of twice the diameter and number of teeth, which is rigidlysecured to the primary registering wheel G through the intermediatecollar S and disk T. This disk T is the ordinary single tooth Genevastop carrying disk which cooperates with the disk U secured to the tensregistering wheel G, which in the same way carries its tens over to thehundreds disk.

The key M, the outer portion of which is square in cross sect-ion exceptwhere it is cut away to form the locking surface L, slides horizontallythrough the apertures formed in the front plate C and the partition Y,and may have its inner portion V rounded and taking into the circularaperture TV formed in the vertical strip X, which is attached to therear partition Y. The end of the part V of the key M is cut away, as atZ (see F i g. 8), to cooperate with a re "crsely cutaway portion Aformed on the circular stem B of the plunger G which cooperates .withthe interlocking mechanism in a manner to be subsequently described. Thestem B normally rests in the aperture \V and in a circular aperture Dregistering therewith in the partition Y. A helically coiled expand ingspring E is secured to the outer end of the portion V of the key M,preferably by passing it through the body of the key, as clearly shownin Figs. 8 and 9, and has its other end resting against or secured tothe strip X so that when the key is pushed in,

the spring is put under tension, and tends to return the key to normalpositlon.

To hold the key in its operated position, I pivotally secure to say theleft hand side thereof the latch F which is of the shape clearly shownin Fig. 8. This latch is formed with the hook G on its inner end, whichwhen the key is pushed in to the limit of its inner movement falls bygravity and catches over the beveled lug H a series of which,corresponding in number and location to the keys, are secured to orformed integral with the right hand sides of the vertical strips U andof the register frame. In order to prevent any possible cramping of thelatch by friction against the sides of the aperture through which itmoves at the time that it is in position to fall into engagement withthe lug H I form the head of the screw J by which the latch is securedto the key of a sufficient thickness so that when it is screwed inplace, its outer side will project a trifle beyond the edge of thelatch. As seen in Fig. 8, this screw is located so that when the key ispushed into its operated position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, thescrew J 2 is in the center of the aperture formed by the partition, andthus crowds the latch away from the edge of the partition so that itwill fall freely when it reaches this position. As will be seen fromFig. 8, the central portion of the latch is just the width of theaperture, while its outer end is narrowed off to permit the latch tofall when the key is pushed in, while its wider middle portion causesthe latch to be carried up to the full line position of Fig. 8, when thekey is withdrawn, From an inspection of the full and dotted linepositions in Fig. 8, it will be apparent that after the key has beenpushed in and locked, whether individually or by the straight ticketmechanism, if it is desired to retract the key, the voter can press uponthe upper edge of the latch and raise the hook G out of engagement withthe lug H so that the key can be returned by the spring E After any keyis returned, any other key in the same row can be pushed in. It willalso be apparent that when the register frame is lowered as the booth isopened, the lugs H moving down, the hooks G of the latches will be.released therefrom and the keys are free to be thrown back by thespring E The shape of the latches cooperating with the apertures willprevent them from falling practically any farther than the positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, so that the downward movement of theframe eventually releases all the keys and permits their return tonormal position.

To prevent the simultaneous operation of more than the required numberof keys in each row or group, I employ the interlocking mechanism shownin Figs. 9 and 10, and this consists of a pair of vertical end pieces orposts K which have the funnel-shaped openings L into the small verticalchannels M extending therethrough. These end posts K are connected bythe cross pieces N at the top and bottom and the intermediate tubes 0which correspond in number to the number of horizontal rows of keys.These tubes 0 have placed just inside of them the thin rubber tubes Pand the ends of bot-h the outer and inner tubes are closed by theconnection Qf which consists of the central circular flange having thetubular end B projecting into the inside of the rubber tube P, which iscemented or otherwise secured thereto so as to form a fluid-tight joint.The other reduced tubular end S of the connection Q is screw-threadedinto the horizontal apertures T which extend through the posts K theother ends of these apertures T being closed by the screwthreaded plugsU formed with the squared or other shaped end V adapted to receive awrench or other implement by which the plug U can be screwed in or outto diminish the capacity of the tube. Interposed between the apertures Tand extending through the posts K at right angles thereto, are the stopcocks which are arranged to close or open the channel M at any point atwhich such an adjustment may be desired. The tubes 0 have cut into theirfront sides a series of openings X which are of a shape, preferablyoval, corresponding to the cross section of the ends of the plugs Gwhich normally rest in said openings and in direct contact with therubber tube P, which, of course, has no opening therein. It will beapparent that when a key M is pushed in, after it has taken up the lostmotion between the end of the key and the plug 0 it will force the plugG into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 9, in which position therubber will be forced in and the capacity of the tube for the fluidwhich is inclosed therein will be diminished. As this fluid, which ispreferably a heavy non-volatile oil, such as glycerin, which will notdeleteriously affect the rubber, is incompressible, it will be apparentthat if the capacity of the tube is limited, only a single key can bedepressed in any horizontal row, if the horizontal row lacks only acertain amount of being full. It will be equally apparent that ifseveral rows are connected together, so that the fluid can circulatefreely through all of them, that as many keys in the group can bedepressed as is provided for by the amount of space left in the groupwhich is not filled with oil. It will be equally apparent that byshifting the positions of the stop cocks V any desiredarrangement andgrouping of the keys can be effected. In adjusting the mechanism priorto an election, the lowermost stop cocks W ,which are beneath thelowermost tube 0 are closed,

and all the other stop cocks are opened. One key in each horizontal row,or as many as are to be operated, are pushed in and held by theirlatches. Oil is then poured in at one of the funnel-shaped apertures Land the air in the tubes is displaced, escaping at the aperture in theother post. After the tubes are filled with oil, as many of the stopcocks WV are turned into their closed position as may be necessary toform the proper groupings. In Fig. 10, the three upper stop cocks beingclosed, it will be seen that the two upper tubes are separated from eachother and form two separate sets, one for each group in which a singlecandidate is to be elected. The next three stop cocks are left in theiropen position, and those immediately below them closed, so that thelowermost four tubes shown in the figure are grouped together to form amulti-oflice group. in this manner, it will be seen that any desiredgrouping and arrangement of the registers can be readily effected. Afterthe stop cocks are adjusted as desired, the keys are tested in theiroperation, and if any of them are operated with too much efiort, one orbot-h of the plugs U corresponding to the row in which it is located arescrewed out a trifle to increase the space in the tube, care being takennot to increase it sufliciently so that two keys can be operated.Conversely, if it be found that two keys can be operated, or nearly so,the corresponding plugs are screwed in to diminish the space to justsufficient to permit the easy operation of a single key. in connectionwith the inulti-ofice groups, this adjustment becomes of even greaterimportance. The frame work made by this interlocking mechanism issecured and supported by the partition Y, it being convenientlysupported by eye-lugs Y taking over the pintles Z carried by the rearside of the partition Y. The rear side A of the casing is preferablyhinged as at B at one end to form a door, the other end of which islocked, and by unlocking it, access is readily given to theinterlocking"mechanism to make any desired changes in the arrangementsthereof.

To provide for casting the free ballot, z'. 6., for some candidate notregularly nominated by any of the parties, and not provided with aregister, I employ the following mechanism. For the purpose ofoperatingthismechanism, I employ keys M preferably arranged in thecolumn at the right hand side of the machine, which difier from theordinary keys in that they are not provided with the register operatingmechanism, but have projecting therefrom at one side the arm C the shapeof which in cross section is best shown in Fig. 8, its shape beingadapted to just fill an elongated aperture D formed in the front plateof the machine. The portions of the division plates X extending betweenthe end piece V and the adjacent vertical partition IV are set at anangle, as best shown in Fig. 8. The part of the front plate C which iscut away to form the aperture D is extended back as shown in Fig. 8 at ElVhen the key for this free balloting apparatus is operated, and caught,the parts are in the position shown in the central portion of Fig- 8,and I provide the small tubes or capsules F which are constructed of twoparts and into which a small strip of paper upon which the name of thecandidate has been written can be placed after it has been rolled up.These tubes are of such a size as to prevent the insertion of more thanone of them in the space formed when the key is pushed in, and it willbe seen that if the voter should attempt to beat the machine byreleasing the key with a view to operating another candidate key, thecapsule F will be forced back out of the aperture. The flange E isemployed to prevent the voter from inserting some implement under thecapsule after the key is pushed in and flipping it over the arm C. henthe voter leaves the booth, and the register frame is lowered, as soonas it reaches the position indicated by the dotted line position of oneof the plates X in Fig. 8, the capsule F escapes beneath the arm C andthis escape is effected before the frame has moved far enough to releasethe latch G from the lug H After the capsule has passed this arm, itrolls on down through the elongated aperture G in the partition Y, andinto the receptacle formed by the inclined plates H which extend betweenthe partitions Y and Y. These plates I-I preferably have their edgesturned up and down to form flanges by which they can be secured to thesides of the partitions Y and Y. To give access to these pockets toremove the ballots, I form in the end of the casing a vertical door J,which is secured by a lock K which cooperates with the end of thecasing. Inside of this door, I form another door If, which is hinged atthe other end and formed with a lock 1 which cooperates with thevertical end piece V of the register frame, the slot in which, withwhich the locking bolt cooperates, being long enough to permit of thevertical movement of this frame. The partition Y is cut away as at N toreceive the door L and its right hand end is cut away completely, so asto give access to the right hand end of the channels formed by thepartitions H when the doors J and L are opened.

The front plate C of the machine immediately surrounding the ballotplate or keys may be formed of a thin metal sheet, out of whichapertures are stamped for the keys M and the latches F. I preferablyturn the stamped out portions of this plate around as shown at O inFigs. '7 and 8 to form guides for the vertical. ballot strips P whichare placed between each row of keys and have the names of the candidatesand the offices and parties printed thereon. These ballot strips arepreferably metallic, or they may be of glass and have the ballot stripsmade of thin paper and secured back of them. These ballot strips aresecured in position in any desired manner, as by locking bars arrangedhorizontally across the machine at the top and bottom of the rows ofkeys. The front plate C is preferably formed with the apertures Qstamped therein just below the position of the register wheels when theyare in engagement with the keys, and in position so that they willregister therewith when they are in their lowermost position, as whenthe register frame is down. Of course, I might place these apertures Qjust above the position shown, in which they would be in register withthe figures on the registering wheels when the same were in engagementwith the keys and locked from movement thereby. These apertures areusually closed by the ballot strips P, so that the voter when themachine is in use cannot see how the election is progressing.

Instead of employing a straight ticket actuating mechanism for eachparty column, as heretofore, I employ an actuating member that is commonto all of the columns, such as is illustrated in detail in Figs. 11 to13. For this purpose, I secure upon the front plate of the machine,above and below the keys, the bars R which are preferably Hshaped incross section. Extending vertically from the top to the bottom bar isanother bar S", which has the T-shaped heads T formed just above both ofthe bars R These T-shaped heads carry the cen trally disposedanti-friction rollers U journaled therein on horizontal axes, anddesigned to support the weight of the bar so that it can be rolled alongfreely on the guide bars R To prevent binding and to cause the bar tomove along easily, I also provide the four anti-friction rollers V,which are journaled on vertical axes and cooperate with the uppergrooves formed in the bars R To prevent the bar S from being lifted,intentionally or otherwise, out of its engagement with the supportingways or bars R I provide the hook V on its lower end, which engages withthe channel on the under side of the lower piece R and which may besecured in place by a screw bolt X indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12.Pivotally mounted upon the bar S )referably on the journals made byusing the screw bolt X at the bottom and a corre sponding screw bolt Yat the top, is a frame consisting of the comparatively short horizontalarms Z and the connecting piece A which has in its center the handle13*. By

reference to the figures, it will be apparent that when this apparatusis brought in proper relation to a row of keys, and the handle B isswung to the left, the bearing surface 0* of the piece A will be broughtagainst the ends of all the keys in that row and they can be pushed inuntil they are caught by the latches. To accurately position thismechanism, and prevent its being operated until it is in proper place, Iform on the inner ends of the horizontal arms Z the cross pieces D*, theleft hand ends of which are preferably rounded, and cooperate with thenotches E formed in the lower portion of the upper bearing bar R By theuse of this construction, it will be seen that by grasping the handle13*, the mechanism can be readily slid along until the lugs or crosspieces D are opposite the notches 13* adjacent to the party rows to beoperated, after which the handle 15* is swung into the dotted lineposition of Fig. 11, thereby operating at once all the keys. After thisstraight ticket is voted, if it is desired to scratch any candidate ofthe party, his register key can be released and unoperated, aspreviously set out, after which the key for the candidate desired can beoperated.

It will be noted that when the booth is opened by reason of the curtainrod being swung to the clotted-line position shown in Fig. 2, thecandidate indicators or keys M can be moved into and out of operativeposition by the voter without effecting the operation of the registers,inasmuch as the keys are not then in operative engagement with theregisters. It will also be noted that when the booth is closed, with thecurtain in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the movement ofthe keys into position or out of position does not finally determine theoperation of the registers, as that is effected by the opening movementof the bail F carrying the curtain. It will also be noted that theoperation of the registers is finally determined during the openingmovement of the bail F, as in that case the keys which have been set aredisengaged from the registers by the movement of the register framebefore the keys are returned, therefore causing the registers to beoperated, an action which, of course, would not occur if the keys werereturned before the registers were moved out of engagement therewith.

While I have herein shown and described a novel combination of elementsin which a frame carrying the registers is moved into and out ofengagement with the operating keys so that the registers can be actuatedand unactuated at will while the voter is in the booth, and theregistration will be finally determined by the keys that are left inoperated position as the voter leaves the booth by reason of theregister-frame moving to carry the registers away from the keys as thebooth is opened, I do not herein claim this construction, as it iscovered by my prior application No. 8568, filed March 12, 1900.

While I have shown my invention as embodied in the form which I atpresent consider best adapted to carry out its purposes, it will beunderstood that it is capable of modifications, and that I do not desireto be limited in the interpretation of the following claims, except asmay be necessitated by the state of the art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is:

1. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a pluralityof keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality ofvote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, and an individual lockingand releasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key solely tohold it in its advanced position and for releasing it without therebyreleasing any other key that may be operated.

2. In a voting machine,the combination of the casing, with a pluralityof keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality ofvote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, and locking and releasingmechanism cooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position,comprising a latch movable relative to said key and engaging with anormally stationary part of the machine, a portion of said latchprojecting outside of the casing adjacent the key in both of itspositions for releasing it without thereby releasing any other key thatmay be operated.

3. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a plurality ofkeys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of votetallyingmechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking andreleasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key to hold it inits advanced position and for releasing it without thereby releasing anyother key that may be operated, and means for releasing all the operatedkeys by the resetting of the machine.

it. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a pluralityof keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality ofvote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking andreleasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key solely tohold it in its advanced po sition and for releasing it without therebyreleasing any other key that may be operated, and means for releasingall the operated keys by the resetting of the machine, said meanscomprising a movable frame with which all of said locking mechanismsengage.

In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a phirality ofkeys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of votetallying mechanisms controlled thereby, locking and releasing mechanismcooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position comprisinga latch movable relative to said key and engaging with a lug, a portionof said latch projecting outside the casing adjacent the key in both itspositions for releasing it, and means for releasing all the keyssimultaneously comprising a movable frame carrying all the lugs withwhich the latches engage.

(3. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a pluralityof keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality ofvote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking andreleasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key to hold it inits advanced position, and for disengaging it without thereby releasingany other keys, and means for automatically returning each of said keysto its normal position.

7. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a pluralityof keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plu rality ofvote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking andreleasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key solely tohold it in its ad anced position, and for disengaging it without therebyreleasing any other keys, and means for automatically returning each ofsaid keys to its normal position when released, said means consisting ofa spring cooperating with said key and put under increased tension byits advance.

S. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a pluralityof keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality ofvote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking andreleasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key solely tohold it in its advanced position and for disengaging it Without therebyreleasing any other key that may be operated, means for releasing allor" the locking mechanisms simultaneously, and means for automaticallyreturning all of said keys to their normal positions when released.

9. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a plurality ofkeys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of votetallying mechanisms controlled thereby, locking and releasing mechanismcooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position comprisinga latch movable relative to said key and engaging with a normallystationary part of the machine, a portion of said latch projectingoutside of the casing adjacent the key in both of its positions fordisengaging it without thereby releasing any other key that may beoperated, and a spring cooperating with each of said keys and put underincreased tension by their advance to return them to normal positionwhen released.

10. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a pluralityof keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality ofvote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, locking and releasingmechanism cooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position,said mechanism comprising a latch movable relative to said key andengaging with a lug, a portion of said latch projecting outside thecasing adj acent the key in both its positions for disengaging it, meansfor releasing all of said keys simultaneously comprising a moving framecarrying all of the lugs with which the latches engage, and means forautomatically returning all of said keys to their normal position whenreleased consisting of a spring cooperating wit-h each of said keys andput under increased tension by its advance.

11. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a pluralityof push keys mounted to reciprocate therein, with a corresponding numberof latches one of which is pivoted to the side of each key and formedwith a hook to engage a normally stationary part of the machine, and aprojecting portion for releasing the latch from its engagement withoutthereby releasing any of the other keys that may be operated.

12. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a pluralityof keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a plurality of latchescorresponding in number to said keys, one latch being pivotally engagedwith each key and so shaped relative to the aperture for the key in thecase as to be held up thereby until the nose of the latch is over thelug with which it engages.

13. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a key mountedto recipro cate through an aperture therein, a latch pivotally engagedwith said key, and a movable frame carrying a latch with which the hookof said latch engages, said latch being so shaped relative to theaperture in the cas ing as to prevent its following the lug when theframe is moved so as to carry the lug out of engagement with the latch.

let. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing with a key mountedto reciprocate through an aperture therein, a latch pivoted to the sideof each key and having a hook, a movable frame carrying the lug withwhich the hook on said key engages, said latch being so shaped relativeto the aperture through which it moves as to be held up by said apertureuntil the nose of l the latch is over the lug, and also to preof thecasing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, lockingand releasing mechanism cooperating with each key to hold it in itsadvanced position, and for disengaging it without thereby releasing anyother key that may be operated, a frame carrying a plurality ofregisters normally in engagement with said keys to be operated therebyas the keys are advanced and retracted, and mechanism for reciprocatingsaid frame to disengage the registers from the keys and to release thelocking mechanisms of the keys simultaneously.

17 In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keysarranged in party columns and office rows and all movable relative toeach other, of a straight ticket operating mechanism adjustable relativeto the party columns and movable relative thereto to operate all thekeys in any desired column.-

18. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keysarranged in party columns and oflice rows, of a straight ticketoperating mechanism adjustable relative to the party columns and movablerelative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, saidmechanism comprising a swinging bar having its ends adjustably supportedbeyond the ends of the columns of keys.

19. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keysarranged in party columns and office rows, of a straight ticketoperating mechanism adjustable relative to the party columns and movablerelative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, saidmechanism comprising a swinging bar pivoted upon another parallel barhaving its ends adjustably supported upon the face of the machine beyondthe ends of the columns of the keys.

20. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keysarranged in party columns and oflice rows, of a straight ticketoperating mechanism adjustable relatively to the party columns andmovable relative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column,said mechanism comprising a swinging bar pivoted upon another parallelbar having its ends adjustably supported upon the face of the machinebeyond the ends of the columns of the keys by means of T -shaped headsengaging with grooved cross pieces.

21. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keysarranged in party columns and office rows, of a straight ticketoperating mechanism adjustable relative to the party coliunns andmovable relative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column,said mechanism comprising a swinging bar pivoted upon another parallelbar having its ends adjustably supported upon the face of the machinebeyond the ends of the columns of keys by means of the antifrictionrollers substantially as shown and described.

22. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keysarranged in party columns and office rows, of a straight ticketoperating mechanism adjustable relative to the party columns and movablerelative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, saidmechanism comprising a swinging bar having its ends adj ustablysupported upon the face of the machine beyond the ends of the columns ofkeys, and locking and guiding mechanism to prevent the swinging of thebar except when correctly positioned relative to the rows of keys.

23. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keysarranged in party columns and ofiice rows, of a straight ticketoperating mechanism adjustable relative to the party columns and movablerelative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, saidmechanism comprising a swinging bar having its ends adj ustablysupported upon the face of the machine beyond the ends of the columns ofkeys, and locking and guiding mechanism to prevent the swinging of thebar except when correctly adjusted relative to the rows of keyscomprising lugs on the bar adapted to enter notches on the cross pieceswhen the key is swung.

2st. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of acorresponding plurality of registers whose operation is controlled bysaid keys, mechanism interposed between said keys to limit the numberthat may be operated simultaneously, and a plurality of gravity latches,one associated with each key and extending without the casing, andserving to hold the key in its operated position and to release it whendesired.

25. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of acorresponding plurality of registers operated thereby as the keys areset, and unoperated as the keys are individually re-set, mechanisminterposed between said keys to limit the number that may be operatedsimultaneously, a plurality of gravity latches, one associated with eachkey, and serving to hold the key in its operated position, and means forsimultaneously releasing the latches and returning the keys withoutunoperating the registers as the machine is re-set.

26. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of acorresponding plurality of registers directly operated and unoperatedthereby, mechanism interposed between said keys to limit the number thatmay be operated simultaneously, a plurality of gravity latches, oneassociated with each key, and serving to hold the key in its operatedposition, means for releasing the latches one by one, and springs forreturning the keys when the latches are released.

27. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of acorresponding plurality of registers directly operated and unoperatedthereby, mechanism interposed between said keys to limit the number thatmay be operated simultaneously, a plurality of gravity latches, oneassociated with each key, and serving to hold the key in its operatedposition, means for releasing the latches one by one, springs forreturning the keys when the latches are released, and means for movingthe registers out of en gagement with the keys and releasing all thelatches as the machine is re-set.

28. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of acorresponding plurality of registers directly operated and unoperated bythe movement of said keys, a frame carrying said registers and movablerelative to the keys, lugs carried by said frame, a plurality of gravitylatches, one associated with each key, and serving to engage thecorresponding lug on the frame and hold the key in its operatedposition, mechanism interposed between said keys to limit the numberthat may be operated simultaneously, and means for moving said frame sothat the latches may be disengaged from their lugs and the registersfrom the keys so that the latter may be returned without unoperating theregisters.

29. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, an individual register for each keywhose operation is controlled thereby, a locking mechanism for holdingsaid keys in their operated posit-ion from which they can be releasedsingly by the voter without affecting the locking mechanism of any otherkey whatsoever and re turned to their unoperated position; substantiallyas described.

30. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, an individual register for each keywhose operation is controlled thereby, locking mechanism for holdingsaid keys in their operated position from which they can be releasedsingly by the voter without affecting the locking mechanism of any otherkey whatsoever, and means for automatically returning any key that maybe released.

31. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reeiprocated therein, an individual register for each keywhose operation is controlled thereby, locking mechanism for holdingsaid keys in their operated position from which they can be releasedsingly by the voter without affecting the locking mechanism of any otherkey whatsoever and returned to their unoperated position, and resettingmeans for simultaneously releasing all said keys; substantially asdescribed.

32. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, an individual register for each keywhose operation is controlled thereby, locking mechanism for holdingsaid keys in their operated position from which they can be releasedsingly by the voter without affecting the locking mechanism of any otherkey whatsoever, means for automatically returning any key that may bereleased, and resetting mechanism for simultaneously releasing all ofsaid keys; substantially as described.

33. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registerseach adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, lockingmechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from whichthey can be released singly by the voter and returned to theirunoperated position thereby unoperating the register; substantially asdescribed.

3st. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registerseach adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, lockingmechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from whichthey can be released singly by the voter, and means for automaticallyreturning any key that may be released thereby unoperating its register;substantially as described.

35. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registerseach adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, lockingmechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from whichthey can be released by the voter and returned to'their unoperatedposition thereby unoperating their registers, and resetting mechanismfor simultaneously releasing and returning all of the operated keyswithout thereby unoperating the registers; substantially as de scribed.

36. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registerseach adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, lockingmechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from whichthey can be released singly by the voter, means for automaticallyreturning any key that may be thus released, thereby unoperating itsregister, and resetting mechanism for simultaneously releasing andreturning all the said keys to their unoperated position without therebyunoperating the registers.

37. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registerseach adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in,interlocking mechanism for limiting the number of keys that may beoperated simultaneously, a locking mechanism for holding said keys intheir operated position from which they can be released singly by thevoter and returned to their unoperated position; substantially asdescribed.

38. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registersto be operated as its inclividual key is pushed in, interlockingmechanism for limiting the number of keys that may be operatedsimultaneously, locking mechanism for holding said keys in theiroperated position from which they can be released singly by the voter,and means for automatically returning any key that may be thus releasedthereby unoperating its register; substantially as described.

39. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registerseach adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in,interlocking mechanism for limiting the number of keys that may beoperated simultaneously,

locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position fromwhich they can be released singly by the voter and returned to theirunoperated position thereby unoperating their associated registers, aresetting mechanism for simultaneously releasing and returning all saidoperated keys without thereby unoperating their registers; substantiallyas described.

40. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keysadapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registerseach adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in,interlocking mechanism for limiting the number of keys that may beoperated simultaneously, locking mechanism for holding said keys intheir operated position from which they can be released singly, meansfor automatically returning any key thus released thereby unoperatingits associated register, and resetting mechanism for simultaneouslyreleasing and returning all operated keys without thereby unoperatingtheir registers; substantially as described.

41. In a voting machine, the combination with keys devoted to thecandidates of different parties, of a straight ticket-operatingmechanism adjustable relatively to said keys to operate the keys of allof the candidates of any desired party, depending upon the adjustment ofsaid mechanism; substantially as described.

42. In a voting machine, the con'ibination with the plural series ofballot indicators grouped according to parties and offices and allmovable relative to each other, of adjustable straight-ticket mechanismwhich may be first adjusted for the chosen party and then operated tomove all of the ballot indicators of the party chosen to operativeposition.

43. In a voting machine, the combination with the keys arranged intransverse office and party rows and all movable relative to each other,of an adjustable straight-ticket mechanism which may be first adjustedfor the chosen party and then operated to move all of the keys of theparty row chosen to operative position.

4A. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing having theregister-inspecting apertures in the front wall thereof, of the keysmounted to reciprocate in said wall, the register frame adjacent saidfront wall, registers associated with the keys carried by the frame, andmeans for reciprocating the frame and bringing the registers intoalinement with the apertures.

45. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing having theregister-inspecting apertures in the front wall thereof, of the keysmounted to reciprocate in said wall, the register frame adjacent saidfront wall, registers associated with the keys carried by the frame,means for reciprocating the frame and bringing the registers intoalinement with the apertures, the ballot strips covering the apertures,and means for securing the ballot strips in position.

46. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing having theregister-inspecting apertures in the front wall thereof, of the keysmounted to reciprocate therein, the register frame adjacent to saidwall, the registers associated with the keys and carried by the frame,and means for reciprocating the frame to carry the registers into andout of engagement with the keys and to bring the figures thereon inalinement with the apertures.

47. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing having theregister-inspecting apertures in the front wall thereof, of the keysmounted to reciprocate therein, the register frame adjacent to saidfront wall, the registers associated with the keys and carried by theframe, means for reciprocating the frame to carry the registers into andout of engagement with the keys and to bring the figures thereon inalinement with the apertures, the ballot strips covering the apertures,and means for securing the ballot strips in position.

48. In a voting machine, the combination with the keys arranged in partycolumns and otfice rows, of the register carrying frame having theunits, tens and hundreds wheel shafts for each column extendingvertically therein, the register wheels on said shafts carryingmechanism between each set of register wheels, connections between theunits wheels and the keys whereby they are operated and unoperated asthe keys are moved in and out, and means for moving all the registerwheels and the keys simultaneously relatively to each other to disengagethe units wheels and keys so that the keys may be reset withoutunoperating the registers.

49. In a voting machine, the combination with the keys arranged in partycolumns and office rows, of the register carrying frame having theunits, tens and hundreds wheel shafts for each column extendingvertically therein, the register wheels on said shafts carryingmechanism between each set of register wheels, connections between theunits wheels and the keys whereby they are operated and unoperated asthe keys are moved in and out, and means for moving the register frameto disengage the units wheels from the keys while the latter are reset.

50. In a voting machine, the combination with a booth opening andclosing element, of candidate registers, cooperating candidateindicators movable into and out of opera tive position by the voter whenthe booth is opened or closed without finally determining the operationof the registers, and connections between the registers and indicatorsfor finally determining the operation of the registers during theopening move ment of the element.

51. In a voting machine, the combination with a booth opening andclosing element, of a movable frame, candidate registers carried by saidframe, cooperating candidate indicators movable into and out ofoperative position by the voter when the booth is opened or closedwithout finally determining the operation of the registers, andconnections between the register-carrying frame and the booth openingand closing element for moving the frame and carrying the registers outof engagement with the indicators as the booth is opened, so that theindicators can be re-set without affecting the registers.

In a voting machine, the combination with a booth opening and closingelement, of a movable frame, candidate registers car ried by said frame,cooperatng candidate indicators movable into and out of operativeposition by the voter when the booth is opened or closed without finallydetermining the operation of the registers, connections between theregister-carrying frame and the booth opening and closing element formoving the frame and carrying'the registers out of engagement with theindicators as the booth is opened, so that the indicators can be resetwithout affecting the registers, and means for returning the indicatorsduring the opening movement after the frame has been moved to carry theregisters out of engagement with the indicators.

JOHN HOlVARD MOELROY.

Witnesses SAMUEL E. I-IIBBEN, Hirr'rm O. IIALVORSON.

